Private Animal Processing Immersions
There is a sacred cycle that threads through all of nature—life nourishing life, nothing wasted, everything returned. At You Enjoy Life Homestead, we offer private, hands-on animal processing experiences that invite you into that cycle—not with fear or detachment, but with reverence, presence, and skill. Learn the full process—from harvest to butchery, curing, and cooking—as a way to connect more deeply to your food, the land, and yourself. Whether you're exploring this for the first time or ready to reclaim a relationship your ancestors never lost, this is a place to remember and to become involved.
How it works
At You Enjoy Life Homestead, we guide people through the ancient, essential practice of animal processing—offering a way to get as close to the source of your nourishment as possible. These hands-on, private immersions cover everything from humane harvesting to butchery, cooking, and preservation. Whether it’s a pig, goat, duck, rabbit, or chicken, we’ll walk you through the full process with care and clarity, helping you build both skill and reverence for the life that feeds you.
Whether you're seeking a private one-on-one immersion or looking to share the experience with family or a few close friends, we tailor each workshop to match your intentions and needs. For those traveling from out of town, we offer glamping-style accommodations and include nourishing, home-cooked meals throughout your stay.
Choose your own adventure…
Pigs
3-Day Private Workshop
Cost: $5,000 (Includes full animal and instruction for up to 4 people)
Meat Value: $2,500+ | Yield: ~200+ lbs
Each year, we raise a small number of extra pigs specifically for those who want to experience the full cycle—from harvest to freezer. This immersive, private workshop is a deep dive into the world of whole animal butchery, cooking, and curing.
What’s Included:
One whole pig (~200+ lbs of meat), divided however your group chooses
Custom cut selection and instruction
Two farm-fresh meals per day
Hands-on learning in slaughter, butchery, curing, and cooking
All materials and tools provided
Schedule:
Day 1 – Harvest & Quartering: Humane slaughter, gutting, quartering, lard rendering, head cheese making, cleaning intestines for sausage
Day 2 – Butchering & Curing: Learn primal and sub-primal cuts, bacon, pancetta, and other curing methods
Day 3 – Sausage & Cooking: Fire-cooked meat, sausage making, rillettes, celebration meal
Goats
1–2 Day Private Workshop
Cost: $1,000 (1 day) or $1,500 (2 days) | Includes the full animal and meals for up to 4 people.
You can add up to 2 more guests for $75 per person, per day (maximum of 6 participants total).
Meat Value: ~$300 | Yield: ~20–25 lbs
Goat is a beautiful entry point into animal processing for those who want an intimate, hands-on experience without the intensity of a larger animal. We source our goats from a local woman who raises them with exceptional care on organic pasture.
What’s Included:
One goat (~20–25 lbs of meat)
Choice of one or two full workshop days
Two nourishing meals per day
Instruction in slaughter, skinning, gutting, butchery, and fire cooking
All materials and tools provided
Schedule Options:
Day 1 – Harvest & Quartering: Humane slaughter, skinning, gutting, optional raw organ tasting, goat tallow rendering, quartering
Day 2 (Optional) – Butchering & Cooking: Full breakdown, cooking techniques, fire preparation, and more
Chickens, Rabbits & Ducks
Half-Day Private Immersion
Cost: $600 | Includes 1 animal and a shared meal (up to 6 people)
A shorter, focused experience to learn humane and hands-on processing for smaller animals. Perfect for beginners or those looking to gain confidence with poultry and rabbit harvesting.
What’s Included:
Your choice of 2 chickens, or 1 duck or rabbit
Guided instruction in slaughter, plucking/skin removal, gutting, and cleaning
Shared farm meal prepared together
All materials and tools provided
Timing:
~4 hours, including harvest and shared meal
meet your guides
Yoshua Greenfield
Yoshua is the founder of You Enjoy Life Homestead, an educational homestead in North Boulder dedicated to reconnecting people with traditional food systems, self-sufficiency, and sacred practices. With years of experience in fermentation, regenerative farming, and ceremonial animal harvesting, Yoshua invites people into a deeper relationship with the land, food, and the cycles of life and death.
John Clay
John has spent his adult life deeply immersed in all aspects of the food world—from cooking to growing to butchering. He previously served as the head whole-animal butcher at Wyebrook Farm, a regenerative farm in Pennsylvania, and has managed permaculture and organic farms in Maine. John’s deep reverence for nature and passion for teaching others how to interact with food forms the foundation of his work.
Aja Rose
Aja supports the ceremonial and energetic aspects of the animal processing immersions, helping to create a grounded, nurturing space for each participant. She has spent the past decade working in the health and wellness space, inviting people into a closer relationship with nature. As co-founder of You Enjoy Life Homestead alongside her partner Yoshua and their daughter Amiya, Aja tends to the needs of the home and the hearts of those present—holding space for reflection, integration, and deeper connection throughout the experience.
Ready to Join Us?
If you’re feeling the pull to be part of one of these intimate, hands-on workshops, we’d love to hear from you. Reach out to reserve your spot, ask questions, or talk through what might be the right fit for your group.
Or email Yoshua directly at: youenjoylifemusic@gmail.com
Stay with us
Extend your time on the land with an overnight stay in our cozy glamping tent. This space offers a peaceful retreat to unwind, reflect, and connect more deeply with the rhythms of nature.
What’s Included:
A spacious canvas tent with a queen bed (sleeps 2)
Outdoor composting toilet and open-air shower/tub
All meals included—nourishing, seasonal, and homemade
Access to a nearby river spot for cold plunging and being immersed in nature. (5-minute drive)
Optional space to pitch your own tent (up to 2 additional guests)
Rates:
$150 per night/per person for up to 2 guests in the glamping tent
$100 per night for an additional tent (BYO), max 4 guests total
Minimum 1 night, maximum 3 nights